Improvement in operating sewing-machines



Patented Sept. 5,1876.-

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N.PErERs. FHOTO-LITMOGRAPMEHY WASHINGTON. D C.

JEFFERY N. SUTHERLAND,

0E MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE.

IMPROVEMENT IN OPERATING SEWING-MACHINES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 181,997, dated September 5, 1876; application filed May 9, 1876.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JEFFERY N. SUTHER- LAND, of Memphis, in the county of Shelby and State of Tennessee, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Mechanism for Operating Sewing-Machines, whereof the following is a full, clear, and exact description:

My invention relates to an attachment for sewing-machines, whereby they may be operated by hand, instead of, or in conjunction with, the ordinary foot-power; and the invention consists in a system of levers removablyattachable to sewing-machines, and connected with the driving mechanism-as, for instance, the treadle for the purpose of permitting the operation of the machine by hand alone or in conjunction with the treadle.

1n the drawing illustrating my invention, Figure 1 is a perspective view of my device applied, and Fig. 2 a perspective View of a clevis, that may be used for attaching the device.

A represents an ordinary sewing-machine table having the legs B. G G are the pedals connected with the driving wheel or shaft in the ordinary'way. My attachment consists of a lever or bar, D, bolted or otherwise attached to the pedals, so as to rise and fall with them. Jointed to this lever or bar, at its outer extremity, is a lever or pitman, F, Whose upper end is jointed to a lever, E. This lever E is secured in any suitable manner, so as to be removable, to one of the legs B, at it. Its

outer end is formedv into a handle, 6. By grasping said handle e and moving the lever up and down, the same motion is imparted to the mechanism as by using the pedals, it being transmitted to the pedals through levers F D. By using this attachment the operator may give rest for the feet and legs. If desired, both pedals and levers may be used.

As a'means for readily attaching this mechanism I may employ a clevis, G, adapted to fit on the legs of the machine-table, and provided with a set-screw, b, for holding it in place. On the other limb of said clevis is fixed a pin or gudgeon, c, to receive the lever E, which will be fastened thereon, instead of to the table-leg.

This mechanism may be applied to other machinery.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

The attachment for sewing-machines, herein shown and described, consisting of the handlever E e, the pitman or lever F, and the lever or bar D, adapted tobe secured to the machine-legs, and connected with the pedals, whereby the machine may be run by hand, or by hand and foot power, substantially as specified, the whole constructed, combined, and arranged, as set forth.

JEFFERY N. SUTHERLAND. Witnesses:

FRANK PARDON, U. HEWITT. 

